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Des Moines - Great Place for a New Business

The City of Des Moines is a great place to locate or expand your businesses. The Des Moines Office of Economic Development office is dedicated to helping you meet your existing and future development needs.

Who We Serve

The Office of Economic development is committed to helping businesses grow and prosper. A variety of business incentive programs, financial assistance, tax assistance and training programs are available to businesses that are located in Des Moines or that are interested in locating in Des Moines. Many small, medium and large companies in Des Moines have worked with City to make their start-up or expansion plans a reality.

Urban renewal provides reasonably-priced sites for new development and business expansion in specific areas throughout Des Moines. The City makes significant investment in the infrastructure in these areas.
Staff for urban renewal assists developers by assembling parcels in designated urban renewal areas. These areas have consistent development requirements that enhance your investment. Staff works with developers in determining development requirements that enhance your investment. Staff works with developers in determining development requirements for assembled sites. Sites are offered at a price that is usually less than the cost of private assemblage. In addition, the City coordinates infrastructure needs for the area and the specific site to assure that current and future needs are met.

Although the City does not maintain an inventory of developable parcels in Downtown Des Moines, staff works with the development community on an ongoing basis to identify parcels suitable for a variety of business needs.
For location options to suit your particular business need, please contact the Office of Economic Development at 515-283-4004 or at oed@dmgov.org.

The Office of Economic Development was established to stimulate industrial and commercial growth, to retain and create new jobs for residents and increase the City’s tax base.
Staff is available to assist businesses, developers and contractors in a number of areas, such as site identification, the development review process, financial assistance programs and urban renewal.

Project Managers can provide site-specific information and resolve complex issues which allow projects to proceed.
Project Managers provide a central point of contact for businesses or developers seeking help with development questions. They take a pro-active stance, anticipating what will be encountered in the development process. Often the Project Manager can identify financial programs to assist the project.

Financing Coordinators can fit the different financing programs together for your project.
Financing assistance is intended to leverage additional private investment. Financing Coordinators administer financial programs and incentives available for development within the City. Financing sources include urban renewal, federal CDBG funds, and Small Business Administration funds (SBA 504). They identify and package the appropriate financing assist with the preparation of the application.

Real Estate Developers

The Office of Economic Development does not maintain a listing of development sites in the corporate limits of Des Moines. We work very closely with the development community, however, and are available to assist you in identifying the best location for your business.

To explore the opportunities available in the City of Des Moines, please contact the Office of Economic Development at 515-283-4004 or oed@dmgov.org.